This paper argues for a different approach to new product marketing in today's era of transition. When marketers must respond to multiple factors of discontinuity, which are…
Abstract
This paper argues for a different approach to new product marketing in today's era of transition. When marketers must respond to multiple factors of discontinuity, which are creating accelerated change, they need new kinds of information. By explaining how marketers can learn to deal with change through future focused information, with examples from the financial services industry and packaged foods, this paper illustrates the value of a new approach.
JACK McCARTHY reports in New york on the problems United States manufactures have in placing the prodcts in right market position.
Massimiliano Matteo Pellegrini, Cristiano Ciappei, Lamberto Zollo and Andrea Boccardi
The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated framework for ethical decision making in uncertain conditions, such as those of entrepreneurship. The model aims to build an…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated framework for ethical decision making in uncertain conditions, such as those of entrepreneurship. The model aims to build an exceptional ethical heuristic employable by entrepreneurs.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical framework is anchored to Aquinas’ theory of practical reason (PR) virtue, specifically its minor virtue gnome, and the Kantian faculty of genius or to better say its modus operandi. Thanks to the composition of these prima facie distant ontologies it is possible to build a “ready-to-use” heuristic.
Findings
The paper through a philosophical discussion offers a ready-to-use heuristic that may help entrepreneurs and businesspersons when “navigating” uncertain and troubled situations. In such situations, first it is important to recognize the “exceptionality” of the situation, disregarding where necessary the ordinary criteria of judgment (an act directed by gnome). Second, a creative reconstruction of available knowledge able to reshape the “rules of the game” is needed (an act directed by PR but with connotations drawn from genius).
Research limitations/implications
The paper provides only a theoretical conceptualization of the heuristic model. However, the result is a ready-to-use heuristic rule for entrepreneurs, who work in uncertain and unclear conditions. Empirical validation of the framework can represent an opportunity for future research to test the operative impact of such an exceptional ethical heuristic.
Originality/value
Little attention has been dedicated to ethical decision making in the entrepreneurial setting built on a virtue ethics approach. This paper’s proposed model may represent an innovative alternative to strictly rational models for ethical decision making.
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Arianna Costantini, Andrea Ceschi, Anna Viragos, Francesco De Paola and Riccardo Sartori
This study aims to investigate the relationship between organisation-based self-esteem (OBSE) and work engagement during a new strength-based intervention over nine months.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationship between organisation-based self-esteem (OBSE) and work engagement during a new strength-based intervention over nine months.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 82 workers composed of 70 sales consultants and 12 area-managers working in an Italian pharmaceutical company received a one-day training based on the FAMILY approach, three times for nine months, with a three-month lag between each workshop. Self-reported measures of OBSE and work engagement were collected before and after each workshop.
Findings
Results showed that final levels of both OBSE and work engagement were significantly higher compared to baseline. Moreover, results from a multiple mediation analysis showed that the direct and indirect relationships between OBSE and work engagement changed at different time points, which may have been related to the different contents of the workshops.
Originality/value
This study provides initial evidence suggesting that organisations could leverage on medium-term interventions to provide employees active guidance on how to use their strengths at work, likely to boost higher employees’ positive perceptions of themselves as organisational members and work engagement.
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Andrea B. Coulson and Rob Dixon
The pressures to include specific environmental considerationswithin corporate strategy are increasing. While clear evidence exists of“green” issues entering the financial agenda…
Abstract
The pressures to include specific environmental considerations within corporate strategy are increasing. While clear evidence exists of “green” issues entering the financial agenda, the full consequences have yet to filter through into an impact on strategy. Examines both the legislative pressure and pressure from financial markets for companies to adopt an environmental risk strategy. Categorizes the pressures from financial markets into two groups: lenders and equity investors, and uses case evidence to illustrate current management issues. A guide to establishing an environmental management system is defined as a tool to complement the development of an environmental risk strategy.
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Stefania Veltri, Andrea Venturelli and Giovanni Mastroleo
The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to measure intellectual capital (IC) in firms involved in strategic alliances, an area that has received scant attention in the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to measure intellectual capital (IC) in firms involved in strategic alliances, an area that has received scant attention in the literature, as existing research is focused mainly on organizational level mainly and increasingly on macro-level unit such as regions or nations. There are very few works at the meso-level (i.e. alliances, clusters), and the paper aims to fill this void, by providing researchers and practitioners with a tool capable of combining measurement and management aims, developed at organizational level with the active participation of the researchers.
Design/methodology/approach
The method of analysis is based on a model formalized through a fuzzy expert system (FES). The FES are able to merge the capabilities of an expert system to simulate the decision-making process with the vagueness typical of human reasoning, maintaining the ability to still have a numeric value as a response. Its construction requires the participation of experts, whose knowledge of the problem is accumulated in the form of blocks of rules. These features make it possible to formalize the decision-making process related to the IC valuation, handling qualitative and quantitative variables, and exploring the cognitive mechanisms underlying this process.
Findings
The outcome of the application is a system designed to measure the intangible performance deriving from participation in a strategic alliance using FES. This study contributes to the broadening of the research community’s understanding regarding the alternative measurement of IC created within strategic alliances.
Research limitations/implications
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, IC literature lacks methods expressly designed to measure the incremental value of IC originating from collaboration among firms. From a measurement perspective, the results may be regarded as valuable proof that IC performance within strategic alliances can be measured quantitatively.
Practical implications
On the management side, the possibility of retracing the determinants of different IC intermediate indicators composing the final IC index allows strategic alliances managers to use this information for decision-making purposes.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge this is the first study applying FES to measure IC in a firm belonging to a strategic alliance. In the authors’ opinion, fuzzy logic methodology, recently applied in empirical work designed to evaluate IC, represents a reliable methodology because of the “fuzzy” nature of IC.
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Kristina Marie Kokorelias, Anna Grosse, Dara Dillion, Joshua Wyman, Elsa Nana Nzepa, Meena Bhardwaj, Andrea Austen and Samir K. Sinha
This paper aims to provide an in-depth examination of culturally and linguistically diverse older adults’ perceptions of and experiences with the Toronto Police Service to inform…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide an in-depth examination of culturally and linguistically diverse older adults’ perceptions of and experiences with the Toronto Police Service to inform the development of a training curriculum for police officers working with older persons.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative descriptive study using virtual focus groups with 26 older adults from Toronto was conducted.
Findings
Three main themes emerged: understanding intersectionality; the impact of police officer attitudes and biases; and the need for age-friendly policing. Although many older adults rely on police services to keep them safe, there is dissatisfaction with some aspects of how police interact with older adults, particularly from minority groups.
Originality/value
Participants were older adults from culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are not usually included in studies on improving police services.
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In an announcement, Apple conceded that System 7.0, whose delay was suggested as likely in the previous column, would not appear until sometime during the first half of 1991. The…
Abstract
In an announcement, Apple conceded that System 7.0, whose delay was suggested as likely in the previous column, would not appear until sometime during the first half of 1991. The delay was attributed to the need for quality assurance and high standards (MacWeek, 25 Sept. 1990, p. 1). Since many developers, commercial firms and users are waiting to use the new system's power and see how it will compare with the implementation of Windows and other graphic user interfaces, the continued delay was a disappointment.